03/05/2026
We invite tribal leaders, tribal enterprises, and business representatives attending the Reservation Economic Summit 2026 to join us for a reception as we welcome JoAnn Kintz as Partner and kick off the week ahead at RES 2026.
JoAnn Kintz is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a graduate of Columbia Law School and Columbia University.
She brings more than a decade of experience advancing tribal interests through litigation, policy, and intergovernmental collaboration, most recently serving as Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice.
Her work spans tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction, treaty and trust obligations, public safety, taxation, natural resources, and economic development.
Kintz brings trusted leadership and a deep commitment to serving tribal nations and enterprises.
She strengthens the firm’s capacity to advance economic development, governance, and long-term sovereignty.
Additionally, we’re pleased to share that Ben Fenner, partner with Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP, will be speaking at RES 2026 on Monday, March 23 during Breakout Session Block One. His session, Funding Tools for Tribal Economic Development, will take place from 10–10:50 a.m. PT in Milano Ballroom I.
Ben Fenner brings more than 15 years of experience representing tribal nations in complex litigation, appellate advocacy, and federal policy matters involving tribal sovereignty, taxation, treaty rights, and economic development. He has successfully argued and authored dispositive motions in federal, tribal, and state courts, and has played a key role in landmark litigation enforcing the federal government’s treaty-based obligations and advancing Indian Self-Determination contracts.
Ben also advises tribes on governance, infrastructure financing, regulatory compliance, and economic development initiatives, and has secured millions of dollars in settlements for tribal clients.
